Monthly Archives: October 2016

Happy Birthday to our dear, sweet Anna! We delight to see your love for the Lord Jesus, your family, ministry, and children. You are a totally fun aunt (you should hear her teaching kids’ songs to the nieces and nephews!), and your sparkle for life adds joy to all of our lives.

You are beyond amazing in the kitchen, and for those who haven’t tasted Anna’s cooking, I’ll simply say, “I’m sorry!” She is incredible and creative.

Anna and Mary are partners in doing surprise cleanings of the sister-in-laws homes, and Anna delights in serving.

Do you know there is a big difference between being debt-free and being content in Christ? I am debt-free, but I am still in the process of learning to be fully content in Christ.

Being debt-free is a financial condition, but content in Christ is a matter of the heart and life. A person can be debt-free and not be content in Christ. While someone who is content in Christ, is almost certainly going to be debt-free. (Notice the phrase “going to be”? If they aren’t debt-free now, I believe it will be the burden of their heart, and they are working toward being debt-free.)

Debt-free is a matter of learning certain techniques and disciplines–being willing to limit oneself because of a commitment. However, that person can still be raging with discontent and be miserable. He could choose to live out his unmet desires through other means. He might still practice poor financial management by spending everything he has to fulfill his lusts.

“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” (Philippians 4:11).

As parents committed to raising your children to be debt-free, an even more important question is: Do you desire for them to learn to be content in Christ?

Happy Anniversary, Christopher and Anna Marie! It’s hard to believe six years have already passed since that beautiful, autumn, rainy day in Washington when you became husband and wife.

Christopher and Anna Marie on their wedding day! (Joseph did an incredible job with their pictures.)

Christopher, I’m grateful for you as my older brother: for your faithfulness to Jesus, your love for your family, and your diligence.

Anna Marie, I’m grateful for you! You are a radiant mommy, you love the Lord with your whole heart, and you find a sparkle in all the little things in life.

Happy Anniversary!

Love,
Sarah

Christopher and Anna Marie Maxwell celebrating six years!

“And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto mycommandments which I command you this day,
to love the Lord your God, and to serve him with all
your heart and with all your soul, That I will give you the
rain of your land in his due season, the first rainand the latter rain, that thou mayest gather
in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil.”Deuteronomy 11:13-14

As parents, Steve and I were very blessed by our family’s county fair ministry because it wasn’t our project but our children’s. They are the ones who pursued getting a booth of our own this year. They paid for everything, and it was costly considering the booth fees, banner, coupons, balloons, face paint, tracts, and candy. They invested their time planning, practicing, praying, and being at the fair.Steve and I were merely willing helpers working with the ministry team of our adult children.

Many of you are in the trenches with your young children. It is hard for you to picture a day when your children would be leading your family in ministry, with you as the helpers not the ones in charge. May we encourage you to stand steadfast and persevere. “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9

Trusting in Jesus,
Teri

“I have no greater joy than to hear
that my children walk in truth.” 3 John 1:4

Trying to live a debt-free life without Christ is empty and much more difficult than one who lives debt-free IN Christ. Remember Philippians 4:19? “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Isn’t that a beautiful promise? Think about the phrase, “according to his riches in glory.” The One Who owns the cattle on a thousand hills, Who made the earth and hung the sun, moon and stars—He is the One Who provides for our needs. WOW. He has the means. Do we have the faith and depth of character to receive it?

We certainly don’t abide in Christ so He will provide for our needs. We abide in Christ for blessed fellowship with the One Who loves us and died for us. “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love” (John 15:9-10).

Providing for our needs is a blessing of abiding in Christ. It’s as natural as the vine giving nourishment to the branches. It is like parents providing for their children. As you raise your children, you aren’t keeping track of everything you spend on them so they can repay you when they are on their own. You provide for them because you love them.

The Psalmist said, “The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands” (Psalm 135:15). Likely that is why it’s been said that “anything we turn to to meet our needs is a competing god.” Are we content in Christ Who will supply all our needs? Does the reality of our day-to-day life—the decisions that we make—prove to those observing us that He is our God, Whom we trust and live for? Who/what are we looking to for our needs?

Steve

“For every beast of the forest is mine, and the
cattle upon a thousand hills.” Psalm 50:10

“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh:
is there any thing too hard for me?” Jeremiah 32:27